Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
A Competition Between the Blue Heron and the Bald Eagle – at Coulon Park
Every visit to Coulon Park is wonderful but there is always something new!
Today’s weather was perfect for walking and the brilliant blue skies were reflected in the waters of Lake Washington.
Sailboats were lined up as usual and ready to go.
Turtles were basking in the sun – the little one’s feet stretched out to absorb as much of the warm rays as possible.
The birds and ducks were happily swimming, and soaring, and fishing. Like this Great Blue Heron who stood as still as a statue on the piling.
Patiently looking for lunch.
As were we.
We stopped by Ivar’s and shared our fish and chips in the open air, enjoying the sights around us.
And then an Eagle soared overhead.
We watched as he approached – dove headfirst into the lake –
and returned with the spoils.
And then a flyby for the Heron, as if to show him how it’s done.
The Heron left shortly after.
So did we.
~ Susanne
Orange and Yellow Roses
I love roses and try my best to grow them in my garden. It’s not always easy. The shrubs can become scrawny and the leaves spoiled by blackspot. The buds may be few or may not open at all. Last year I took out the more troublesome ones and moved the others to my garden beds in back where they get more sunshine.
They seem to like the change – especially the orange and yellow ones which are my favorites.
So I persist.
~ Susanne
A Northwest Hike to Franklin Falls
We don’t usually take the most popular hikes on a weekend when everyone else does – we’re lucky we don’t have to. But we took a chance today and headed to Denny Creek and Franklin Falls, an hour east of Seattle. We’re so glad we did!
Yes, there were lots of people with the same idea. Denny Creek Campground is nearby and was full. So was the parking lot at the trailhead and cars lined the narrow road beside. But we were still able to find parking nearby and set out on the beautiful trail through the woods.
The trail to Franklin Falls is well maintained and well traveled. It passes through typical Northwest forest, fragrant with Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, and Red Cedar.
Tiny chipmunks scampered about and people of all ages passed us by – some with babies strapped on or with toddlers or dogs with them. Regardless, we were still able to find solitude and periods of quiet in the woods – except for the sound of the river rushing by below.
After a mile or so the sound of rushing waters increased and we arrived at our destination – Franklin Falls. It was much more impressive than I remembered since I was last there. And just how many years ago was that – 20?? We sometimes take for granted what is closest to us.
The final approach to the Falls and the pool below was on slippery rocks and I didn’t think my shoes were up to the challenge. So while Bob joined the throngs in the spray, I stayed back snapping pictures where I and my camera stayed dry.
Next time we’ll come on a weekday – I may even leave the camera behind – and maybe – just maybe we’ll take a dip in the pool at the base of the falls!
At least in my dreams. 🙂
~ Susanne
Benji’s Perch
This is Benji’s favorite spot to sleep.
I think we’re gonna need a bigger perch.
~ Susanne and Benji
Busy as a Bee
I walked in my garden today and stopped to watch the bees.
Bees on a mission working together and apart,
Taking no thought of the other.
Bees on the lavender and bees on the chives,
Buzzing from blossom to blossom there was room for all.
~ Susanne
From the Roof
“Whatcha doing up there Benji?”
“Defending my territory Sue. I can see everything great from up here.”
“I wish you wouldn’t climb on the roof Benji. It makes me nervous.”
“Why?” he asked. “Cats like high places. All my ancestors were climbers you know.”
“They’re wild Benji – you’re supposed to be domesticated.”
“Wrong Sue. I only pretend for your sake. Now please move along and don’t blow my cover. ”
“Okay Benji.”
Posted for Travel with Intent’s, Photo Challenge, Aerial.
~ Susanne and Benji
Lighthouses of the Oregon Coast
This week’s Friendly Friday photo challenge, ‘Illumination,’ reminded me of the many lighthouses we saw on our recent trip to the Oregon Coast.
Heceta Bay Lighthouse stands 205 feet above the Pacific Ocean on Heceta Head north of Florence. The light shining from the 56-foot-high tower flashes white every ten seconds and can be seen 21 miles from land, the strongest on the Oregon Coast.
Umpqua River Lighthouse is almost identical architecturally to the one at Heceta Head except for the lens. It’s the only lighthouse on the Oregon Coast to emit a red and white light; a red flash is followed by two white ones during a 15-second interval.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse served for the shortest period of time. Built in 1871 and decommissioned in 1874 it was made obsolete when Yaquina Head Lighthouse was built. It sits on top of a bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River, and is the only existing Oregon lighthouse with the living quarters attached.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse is Oregon’s tallest at 93 feet, and made Yaquina Bay Lighthouse obsolete when it was constructed in 1873.
Coquille River Lighthouse near Bandon, was built in 1896 to guide ships across the treacherous bar at the entrance to the Coquille River. It is no longer operable.
Lighthouses warn mariners of rocky coasts, shallow waters and other hidden dangers, and help guide them safely into harbors. Even though GPS and other electronic devices now assist mariners with navigation, lighthouses still provide illumination as an important backup when other systems fail.
~ Susanne
Highlights from the Oregon Coast!
It was a rainy trip down to the Redwoods those three days spent on the Oregon Coast. Though it had been sunny and dry all month, the forecast changed the week we were to leave. Whatever. We packed raincoats and umbrellas and headed on our way – it’s still the Oregon Coast and it’s always marvelous!
We said goodbye to Washington and crossed the mighty Columbia River into Oregon, stopping by Astoria where I took these pictures of the giant ships on the river. We also visited the collectible stores – where I found something wonderful for the low, low price of $6 – with no sales tax in Oregon besides!
We spent our first night at the resort town of Seaside
and woke up the next day to the promised rain. Fortified by strong coffee (latte in my case) we pressed ahead to Cannon Beach a few miles down the road.
Next was lunch at the Tillamook Cheese factory so we could justify the ice cream afterwards (worth it) followed by a stop at Cape Kiwanda. While Bob caught a nap in the truck I hiked up the sand dune for a better view, carrying my umbrella, sometimes using it as a walking stick.
It was worth it.
It may seem so but the weather didn’t dampen our spirits – there was too much to see and do and we kept on trucking (literally), stopping at the overlooks and the beach walks and the lighthouses – definitely the lighthouses.
Here’s the lighthouse at Yaquina Head, at 93 feet, the tallest in Oregon.
Just below thousands of seabirds come to raise their young in the spring.
Yaquina Head is just north of Newport where we stopped for our second night. It’s also about halfway down the Oregon Coast and good place to stop this post.
But lest you think all was rainy and gloomy, the sun appeared in Newport and lo and behold – we caught the sunset from our balcony.
The best is yet to come! Stay tuned for the second half of our road trip down the Oregon Coast for more lighthouses, crashing waves and ocean geysers.
~ Susanne
Walking Midst the Tallest Trees on Earth
I’m talking about the Redwoods of course! We recently returned from a trip to Northern California, home to the Coast Redwoods – and my oh my – those are SOME TREES!
The drive there was magnificent too, south on Hwy 101 along the beautiful Oregon Coast but I will save that for later.
In this post I will take you through some of the Redwood Groves in Redwood National and State Parks, starting with our first stop at Circle Trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. See our tiny truck parked out front?
The woods were lovely, dark and deep, and I was ready with my camera.
“Find anything to take a picture of yet?” asked a friendly hiker with a grin on his face.
“Not yet,” I replied, “but I’ll keep looking” and we laughed because It’s that kind of place.
Occasionally a tree was singled out like ‘Big Tree’ below, one of the largest in the park, and estimated to be 1,500 years old!
Yes, at 286 feet tall with a circumference of 74.5 feet it earned the name. On the other hand, as the sign nearby shows, there are big trees everywhere!
The next day we stopped at three different groves, starting with the Drury-Chaney Grove. Here we took a 2.4 mile nature trail considered one of the finest in the park. And no wonder – it was magical! When I entered the grove it seemed that time stopped and I wanted to lie down in the carpet of redwood sorrel.
Instead we continued walking and met a friendly German couple who took our picture, after we had taken theirs.
Our next walk was at Founders Grove on the Avenue of the Giants, dedicated to the founders of the Save-the-Redwoods League. It was here In 1917 that several prominent men traveled to view the Redwood groves and were determined to have them protected. This was the first grove purchased by the League in what is now Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Founders Tree, a 346 foot giant, is dedicated to them.
We continued on the trail and passed the Dyerville Giant, at least 362 feet tall, 52 feet in circumference, and 1,000,000 pounds when it fell in 1991. Did anybody hear it?
After a stop for lunch we headed back north and saw this little fella by the side of the road, on our way to the Ladybird Johnson Grove.
The Grove was dedicated to the former first lady for her role in promoting the National Park which was established in 1968.
Here I am in front of one of the massive trees resident there.
Well, it’s time to wrap this up but I have one more picture for you. On our last day in the park we stopped at Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and I finally got some pictures of rhododendrons in bloom against the trees. Happy!
This trip left me thankful to the wise men and woman who endeavored to preserve the rapidly disappearing old growth Redwoods. Though only 5% of the original forests remain they still inspire those who are blessed to visit. Our world would not be the same without them.
Shared with Jo’s Monday Walks.
~ Susanne
Cat Files
You know the old adage, ‘a place for everything and everything in its place?’
Well I kept losing track of Benji.
So I tried filing him
but I couldn’t close the drawer again.
He fit better in the basket on my desk but he crumpled my papers and wouldn’t stay put.
So I gave up and let him come and go as he pleases.
Where do you file your cats? 🙂
~ Susanne and Benji
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 